Are You Cut Out for Freelance Writing?
May 5, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
photo credit: Dave Malkoff
Freelance writers live in their own special universe. It’s a universe full of words, clients, and bottom lines. Many people dive into this universe headfirst and find out fast that it’s sink or swim. Doesn’t it sound tempting? Setting your own hours, having control over your income, making business decisions, trying to find clients, and establishing yourself as a worthwhile contender in the galactic enterprise that is your one-person business.
Make no mistake, freelancing is a business. Visions of lounging on the sands of your own private island quickly evaporate into late nights spent staring groggy-eyed into a computer screen that has become the center of your world. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and the light is success. Before you reach the light, before you even step into the tunnel, you have to ask yourself, are you cut out for freelancing?
Skill
Some people will argue and claim that skill is not really a requirement for freelancers. Have a look around the web. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are fairly optional here. Proofreading is unheard of and most web writers seem to have never discovered the editing process. That’s fine. They can peddle $1 articles at the bidding boards. If you have serious writing skills, you can actually earn a livable wage as a freelance writer.
Drive
You’ll need someone who can pilot your space shuttle into the freelance universe and guess what? If you’re freelancing, it’s going to have to be you. This is a business, not a hobby, and it requires a considerable amount of ambition. You’ve got to want it. Bad. You won’t have a boss or any coworkers asking how that project’s coming along but you will have endless distractions and temptations vying for your attention. If you can’t commit your energies, then your ship’s going to crash.
Sacrifice
I bet some people slip into freelancing and never notice a change in their work hours. Don’t ask me where these people are. I’ve never met them. You can call yourself a freelancer until the sun spins out of its orbit but what you really are is an entrepreneur and you know what entrepreneurs do? They work hard, long hours. They give up social activities and hobbies so they can throw their energies into the business and make it succeed. Is the sacrifice forever? I don’t think so, but expect to have very little free time during your first year.
Educability
Perfect! I thought I was making up the word “educability” but it turns out that it already exists. And that’s my point. You have to be willing to learn. You have to be willing to grow. I’m still in my first year of freelancing. I love it and one of the things I love most is that every single day I learn new things. I learn new stuff about writing, about people, about business, and about the universe. I learn what works, what earns money, and what kind of limits or goals I need to get myself to the next level. Much of freelancing is trial and error, especially in the beginning. Learn and live. Live and learn.
Flexibility
Some freelancers still probably operate in the real world but most of us are living and working on the Internet. The Internet changes at a rapid pace and if you’re a web-based freelancer, you have to be able to keep up. Sometimes this means adjusting your rates. Other times it means offering new services. Usually it means updating your website so it doesn’t look like an antique UFO from the 1990s. If you like a fast pace and think you can keep up, then freelancing online might be right for you.
Acumen
Not just any acumen, you’re going to need business acumen. Can you balance a checkbook, manage a spreadsheet, keep track of your income and expenses? Do you know what marketing is? Can you negotiate? Pitch yourself? Convince a client they need your services? Do you know the difference between being in the red and being in the black? Can you always have a backup plan? Sure, you can start freelancing and learn the business stuff as you go, but it’s good to have an advance grasp on the basics.
Spine
People will try to take advantage of you, so you’re going to need a spine and some thick skin. Aliens will ask for special discounts. People who make five times as much money as you will ask for special discounts. Space invaders will steal hours and hours of your time going back and forth ironing out project details and then they’ll never sign the quote because they found someone else who offered a better discount. Negotiating a little is fine but if you agree to give everyone from ET to R2-D2 a discount you’ll find yourself working for pennies and then you’ll scratch your head wondering why you don’t have enough money to pay rent even though you had plenty of work all month. Can you say no?
Love
Okay, so some freelance writers probably don’t love freelancing. Or writing. But I do. People ask me how my business is going and I tell them I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. I’m working longer hours than ever before and until recently I was making much less money than ever before. But I absolutely love it. This is a big, wide open universe and it suits me perfectly. If you don’t love business, or writing, or working on a computer all day, then you probably won’t be happy doing this. And that is really the goal, right? To find happiness.
What are some other qualities that a successful freelancer needs? Have you thought about quitting your job and taking the plunge? What’s holding you back? Share and discuss. And stay tuned. Because the next post on freelancing is going to talk about planning and preparation for launching a freelance writing business!
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Oh, freelancing isn’t my cup of tea at all. Certainly not after reading all this, but if you love to write about a wide range of subjects I think this lifestyle will sooth you.
I do wonder whether or not a freelance writer should have one strong subject he can write about, or should he be versatile and very wide read?
Manictastics last blog post..Wonderfully Ferocious
Freelancing is brilliant if you enjoy uncertainty, have ways to create inward passion, are friends with “the zone” and can ignore the phone.
Great Job Melissa, thanks!
Harmonys last blog post..Help! I Want To Lose My Mind
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing this. I think I’m ready to give it a stab. I work full time, have 4 kids, write, blog, run, you name it.
I can do this too…
bring it on.
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
FANTASTIC post Melissa!!!
Brett, if you have 4 kids and you want to stay married, don’t quit your day job until you are rolling in some serious dough! Freelancing is brutal for a while.
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywoods last blog post..Most Famous PG Underwear Scenes in Cinema
PS. That image is hilarious and captures what it is like for us, for sure.
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywoods last blog post..Most Famous PG Underwear Scenes in Cinema
Jaden,
Oh, I hear you! I’m enthusiastic, but I’m not crazy…
well, maybe a little crazy… a little crazy is good, right?
Besides, I haven’t figured out what to do with the underpants yet (thanks for the link!)
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
@Manictastic, I thought about including a subject, niche, or other specialization but many freelancers do offer a wide range of writing services so that’s more of a choice than a necessity. You sure freelancing is not for you? It’s fun, I’m telling you!
@Harmony, Oh yes, uncertainty, passion, and the zone! I know those well! And I have mastered ignoring the phone. I turn the volume off when I’m working (and then sometimes forget to turn it back on!).
@Brett, I think you’ve got what it takes and with your degree, you can probably go back to the cube in the blink of an eye if you find freelancing doesn’t suit you! I think you’re going to soar!
@Jaden, Thanks! I was rolling in blogger’s joy when I found that image (I totally love it). I agree that it’s wise to have a day job or some form of income while making the transition to freelancing. More on that in an upcoming post!
@Brett, You are a good kind of crazy
Those are really good things to evaluate in the decision process but what if you get mixed results. I know a lot of productivity talk has been about “if it’s not a yes yes then it’s a no.”
Really that more accurately describes the employment positions I’ve considered. The place has writing needs that the position will do by default but the job is described and pays based on a mindless part-time membership administrator or model home demonstrator, etc. That is completely demoralizing.
Can I succeed as a freelancer? I don’t think I will know until do it. I happened to read Modite
http://modite.com/blog/2008/05/05/how-to-step-up-and-have-anything-but-a-normal-career/this morning and I completely get the “jump or freak” dichotomy. I want to jump but I can’t see the landing zone. (Sorry if that isn’t coded right.)Melissa
I love your first-hand descritpions of being a free-lance writer. It gives the rest of us who are considering a career change an idea of what it’s like…both the good points and bad points.
Jaden’s comments bring home a good point. Am I willing to take the risk and starve for a long time? (I did grad school…been there! Done that!)
Maybe full-time free-lancing isn’t for me. But part-time could be an option. I wouldn’t expect to make tons of money, but perhaps my writing might help pay for car repairs or a weekend getaway.
Mabye I could retire from the cube farm at age 63 instead of 65. That itself would be worth it.
In the mean time, my cube work will support me.
I’ll continue blogging and honing my writing skills, and see what happens.
At the very, very least, I’m having fun.
Friars last blog post..A Honkin’ Good Time
I had to do every single one of those things as a Realtor. Plus haul myself out the door and go sell houses too. So now I can do all of those things minus the houses. BONUS!!!
When I was in Real Estate and I had a coach, we would meet every two weeks. My coach would ask,
What business are you in?
The answer was never supposed to be *Real Estate.*
The answer was…. I am in the Lead-generating business.
Because the truth of it all is that when you are in business for yourself, you are always working on generating that next lead and finding that next client. What you do once you get that client is will make you or break you, but getting them is the business you are in.
It was an interesting way to look at things.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..The Attitude of Staying Put
@ Wendi Kelly — Interesting and helpful perspective. Thanks for sharing that one with us.
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywoods last blog post..Most Famous PG Underwear Scenes in Cinema
@Melissa,
Thank you - my current lines of thought will be a hybrid of a lot of things - some freelancing, some passive income generation, what I’m doing now (for now - then eventually consulting), my books… another computer related service business.
It does sound like a lot - I figure I’ll need to do something once the triplets go off to school in the fall
@Friar,
Well, start small but aim high. Don’t aim for retirement at 63. Aim for retirement next year. You might surprise yourself…
Besides, I think that our chats later this week may give you food for thought…
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
@Deb,
I just returned from having a look at that post on Modite… very cool.
I think I’m ready to jump out of the plane - with a reserve chute of course
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
@Deb (gscottage), Mixed results aren’t a problem. I think a lot of these traits can be cultivated. However, I do believe drive is probably the most essential of all (otherwise how will someone ever cultivate the other traits?).
I have seen employers re-title a writing a job and I can only assume they do this to warrant a lower salary. When I was in the cube, I was appalled at the poor writing skills in management and even some executives. Excellent writing is undervalued and even decent writing isn’t worth much. I wonder why?
Having said that, my writing skills earned me several promotions and raises, so the value is there, maybe just not very visible.
Finally, I have to confess that I jumped long before I could see the landing zone. It took a great deal of faith. Maybe faith should be on this list too.
@Friar, There are several different ways to make the transition to freelancing. I think if you just woke up and quit your job one day and then decided to launch a freelance career, you might go hungry for a while. But with a solid plan and slow transition, I think it can be done without too much impact on your income.
Then again, I imagine it would be a great way to earn extra money on the side. I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to start freelancing when I still had a full time job. Looks like I’ll never know
@Wendi, I’ve been pretty lucky on the client front, securing ongoing clients early on without having to do a lot of advertising or marketing. In fact, when you find out how little advertising I’ve done, it just might be a shocker! However, sometime this year, I plan to take my business to the next level and there will be heavy marketing involved.
Anyway… my aunt is a real estate agent and that job is a lot of hard work! It does seem much like running your own little business. I’d be interested to hear about the similarities and differences between real estate and freelancing (hint hint).
@Brett, I started out taking just about any writing job that came along. Then, over time, I learned what paid fair, livable wages, and what I enjoyed doing most. I started eliminating certain services from my offerings. I felt like that was a great way to not only get my feet wet as a freelancer, but to find out where I wanted to focus.
@Melissa,
I still love your story very much (I’ve saved it as a PDF, very inspiring for me, and that’s how I met you, stumbling on your story).
That’s kind of what I’m thinking for myself. Since I’m still working, I have the luxury of trying a few things. I got some good advice from Ellen early this morning actually and I’ll be following up to see how that works.
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
Year 1 in business - I plowed through with raw determination learning about the business of writing as I went along. I worked my butt off and loved every second. Year 2 - Had some clients, got smarter wondered what the heck I was doing in Year 1. Year 3 - still working hard, loving every second and still learning and growing. Yet,past lessons and hard work paying off, settle in for 2 months before I realize need to push to a new level. Rinse, repeat years 1 and 2.
I love what I’m doing, but being self employed is not for the faint of heart. You have pointed out something that I quickly noticed all freelancers don’t get - this is a BUSINESS. You have to learn to work on the business and not just in it. I can’t wait for the other posts in the series because I am always learning and growing and being inspired by the wisdom and experiences of others. Great post!
Karen Swims last blog post..Before You Move Forward, Be Still
@Brett, Of course a reserve chute. Now why didn’t I think of that. And really I should have because I’ve been going through “What Color is Your Parachute?”
I think Rebecca’s and Melissa’s posts today really play well off each other (even though I think Rebecca’s focus is leadership and not freelancing per se). There is the evaluate and know yourself and the situation. After that there is just deciding…but it is so hard to just do it whether the decision is “jump” or “retreat.” Sometimes it is hard to move in any direction - paralysis of sorts.
But I keep coming back to the evidence that as a SAHM for 30 years I was responsible for four other human beings and the household management. I know how to put in the time that a project takes and I know I am not the fastest in the pack. I know what it’s like to have no back-up because my husband was military and on the road a lot. If I didn’t get things done they didn’t get done and there was no one else to pass the buck to.
I am used to being in charge and running things and the last few jobs I’ve had were basically entry-level working for people who had been in the organization FOR EVER but were completely brain-dead. The only thing they were really good at was covering their tracks.
@Wendi, having worked on the high-end new home construction side and interacting with realtors regularly, you have my sympathies because it was dog-eat-dog even before the crash.
Rereading the comments I have noticed that several have stressed part-time over full-time and this is true in that I (we) have a safety net and I don’t have to provide our whole livelihood this year. But somehow it hasn’t made deciding any easier. There is another blogger (sorry name escapes me) who writes that when she figured out how dire her situation was she picked up a garage sale computer, got a free email address and just started writing for hire. Maybe it’s possible to over-plan and over-invest; and instead just have the mindset of do what makes money. However, I have done work in the past because it made money on the hours I could spare and I’m can’t do it for the money alone for very long. Also, I have this sense of destiny like I’m supposed to be somebody; and it’s true that I was really somebody when my kids were at home but it’s like that was training for being a somebody at a different level in the life I’m moving into. And I realize that sounds insane, or at least bordering on egotistical grandiosity. So with that I will sit down and shut up.
Thats my best friend from highschool…dave malkoff!! good pic of him!! glad to see other people appreciate a sense of humor!!
@Karen, I’m pretty much using year one as a learning phase and then I plan to step it up for year two. I bet we all could learn a lot from someone like you who has been doing it for three years! That seems to be a long time in this business.
Melissa;
That’s encouraging…that it’s possible to make a slow transition, rather than jumping in feet-first.
I might have an idea of what’s involved with the writing part. But I have zero experience with business planning and marketing. Sure, I would probably learn, but to jump into it cold turkey scares the hell out of me. I admire people who can take risks like that.
What I need to do is find a rich dentist (or doctor or something) to help fund my career change and self-actualization.
Ladies? Any takers..? Uh…anyone…?
Friars last blog post..A Honkin’ Good Time
@Deb, I think a part-time combination is a great way to go. Can’t plan forever though. At some point, a leap of faith is truly all that’s left.
@Bob, Are you serious? You know this astronaut man? Whenever I use Flickr photos on my blog I wonder if the people in the photos or the people who took the photos will stop by and see them. How cool that you did!
@Friar, I have seen several people try to start a business without any real knowledge of business although they were experts at the actual work. Their businesses did not get off the ground.
I’m lucky because my dad is an astute businessman and he trained me young
Still, there are so many books and blogs on business that it’s fairly easily learned. Just be careful to check credentials because there are a lot of self-declared experts who are anything but.
Wish I had the cash to fund your enterprise
yes i have google alerts set, so anytime the google crawlers find something relating to my buddy, it sends me an email to alert me. and you were the latest email!! good blog! keep it up
oh yeah…dave works for CBS 2 in LA. best friend any one could have!! check him out..just google his name.
@Bob, I really need to look into those Google alerts. Thanks for your kind words
I did google your friend and it seems he has a blog too! At least I found a CBS 2 blog that he appears to be writing. Which is pretty cool.
@Deb,
Being a parent - especially a SAHM - gives you a skill set you can’t get anywhere else. My wife is so well organized, such a great planner - I keep telling her she has to start her own business.
My abilities pale next to hers. She would walk all over me as an entrepreneur. Hmm. Maybe she can be my business manager…
(Seriously. Maybe it’s time to ask her, formally.)
Brett Legrees last blog post..time.
@Melissa
If you had the money and if I knew precisely it was what I wanted to do…I’d take you up on your offer.
Brett has a litter of few kids. Mabye he can sell one and spot me the money.
Friars last blog post..Cubicle Envy…
@Friar & Melissa,
Tell you what, I’ll keep a chart of who is bad this week, and whoever is bad the most will go up on eBay on Saturday
@Brett, Selling children on eBay — now there’s a novel idea! You could make a mint! I’m sure Friar will appreciate your investment and your um… sacrifice
What do you say, Friar?
@Melissa,
How else will I pay for that Mac?
Brett Legrees last blog post..time.
@Brett, O the holy Mac! You simply must tell all about making the switch. I am scared of it you know. When I daydream about the Mac, I picture myself sitting here with a Mac AND a PC and not quite sure how I’ll be able to make the transition!
@Melissa,
It is easier than most folks think. I almost have my blog post for it finished, and I’ll make sure anyone can follow it. You will be able to keep all of your programs and files (in fact, your whole Windows installation), and sell your old machine if you wish.
Stay tuned!
Brett Legrees last blog post..time.
@Melissa and Brett
Kids on Ebay. I think it’s a great idea. Mabye you can lease them out first (A “test-drive”, so to speak). So people can check out the performance.
Hey, I got some roof shingles that need fixing, and some rocks that need moving. That would be good practice.
Brett, why don’t you lend me your smallest one? It would be good for them…”buidling character”, and all that.
@Friar,
You wouldn’t want to borrow Owen. He looks all cute and innocent with his curly hair, but when he gets mad… Incredible Hulk time!
You might have to replace your house
Brett Legrees last blog post..eight random facts about me. no kleenex required.
@Brett
Owen is my favorite. He seems to have taken in instant shine to “Uncle Friar”.
Friars last blog post..FriarToons (May 9, 2008)
@Friar,
Well, they all like you a lot, but Owen does talk about you the most, and if I draw a Garpack he goes haywire…
Brett Legrees last blog post..eight random facts about me. no kleenex required.
@Brett’
Garpak has taken a life of it’s own.
One day I’m gonna have to write about that!
Poor Melissa doesn’t know WTF we’re talking about.
Friars last blog post..FriarToons (May 9, 2008)
@Friar,
Draw me a Garpack/Garpak (is that a male/female thing?) and I’ll use it for a Viking Friday
Brett Legrees last blog post..eight random facts about me. no kleenex required.
@Brett, I’m looking forward to reading your post about the transition. My biggest concern is all my Windows-based software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Office) — worried I’ll have to spend big $$$ to replace with Mac versions!
@Friar, If folks start putting kids on eBay, they’re going to put the adoption agencies out of business! Leasing is a great idea! Kind of like being an aunt, something I’m going to be for the first time later this year
@Brett, You’re right. Poor Melissa doesn’t know WTF you’re talking about. What’s a Garpack?
Melissa,
You’d only have to buy Vmware Fusion, the rest is easy. I’ll explain it in my blog post - really easy, but most people would be afraid to try it. No need to spend more than the cost of the Mac, and $79 for the Fusion program.
I’ll get Friar to draw a Garpack tonight…
Brett Legrees last blog post..eight random facts about me. no kleenex required.
@Brett, That sounds cool (Vmware). It may be awhile before I get my own Mac, but at least I’ll have a little something in my bookmarks for when that time comes
Melissa,
It works very well, as you will see. The part of the program that makes the image of your current computer (called Converter) is also available for Windows - so you can make an image of a live, running machine, then transfer it to the new Mac.
I’ll cover this too.
Hope you’re having a good day!
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays - the coward. no kleenex required.
What I’m left wondering is if DRIVE can be developed. I think that’s the part I struggle with most while trying to build this career. How do you learn to build that sense of dedication, committment, and accountability for yourself? How do you keep refocusing? Is it something you get better with in time?
Rebecca Laffar-Smiths last blog post..Networking, Friendship, and Colleagues
@Rebecca, Drive. I’m not sure about that one but I’m going to give it some thought. Can drive be cultivated or is it inherent? Good question. One thing is certain though, it’s definitely something that a person needs to be a freelancer or to run their own business!
Off the top of my head, I would suggest that if it can be built or developed, visualization would be a good way to go. Sometimes you have to remind yourself of your goals and why you’re doing this. That goes for just about anything that involves hard work, not just freelancing!
Great answer, Melissa!
I sure hope it is something that can be built upon. I think the foundation of Drive is desire. If you WANT it badly enough you can build on that need to create a firmer, structured, motivation on which to depend.
Perhaps it’s worth a blog post on its own.
Rebecca Laffar-Smiths last blog post..Networking, Friendship, and Colleagues
Rebecca, You’re right. It is worth its own post. What I’m wondering is - if someone lacks drive, then maybe they don’t want it badly enough? I’m not sure, and I know we all get burnt out now and then and need a break (yes, even from our dreams). Also, it’s easy to forget why we’re doing something so it helps to have daily reminders of why we’re doing it, especially things like freelancing, writing, art, etc.